All aboard the England rollercoaster. Probably only the famous nearby 'Six Flags Over Texas' theme park, home to the Rampaging Run ride, could rival England’s performance against Croatia for ups and down, thrills and spills. This was part attacking carnival, part defensive chaos from England.
A lover of American football, Harry Kane doubtless dreamed of one day finding the mark at the magnificent home of the Dallas Cowboys.
He scored twice, both from set-pieces, taking his England tally to 81 goals from 115 games. Few would now bet against Kane, 32, reaching a century of goals.
'Jude Bellingham produced a bravura display in England's World Cup opener'
Yet even Kane was eclipsed by a bravura display from Jude Bellingham. Whatever doubts that some observers have about his team-mindedness, Bellingham made a mockery of such doubts.
He made two important sliding tackles and few could have matched the brilliance of his goal. Luka Modric went over to congratulate his old Real Madrid team-mate. Even the Dallas DJ got in on the appreciation act, playing “Hey Jude”.
PLAY our FREE World Cup score predictor HERE
Marcus Rashford, recently of Barcelona, added a fourth, reflecting England’s wealth of attacking options when replacing Anthony Gordon. But those with Three Lions on a shirt had their fans having kittens.
The first-half vulnerability was so unlike England. They let in as many goals in the first 45 minutes as in their preceding 21 games in all competitions. Jordan Pickford had kept eight clean sheets in the eight qualifiers. But even England’s 'Mr Reliable' looked uncertain before the break. Marc Guehi’s calm was missed, and Tuchel surely has to consider restoring the centre-back who has been England’s best defender over the past two years.
But this was a performance to savour, certainly the irrepressible attacking. Croatia immediately fell back into 5-4-1, inviting England on. Pickford pinged left-foot diagonals to Noni Madueke, whose pace was a constant threat to Croatia’s left flank. Josko Gvardiol and Ivan Perisic had to double up on Madueke. There was a welcome fearlessness to England in their attacks, a quality embodied by Madueke.
He won a penalty when Modric carelessly didn’t look, tried to clear but connected only with the onrushing Arsenal winger. It was a clear pen. And to think Arsenal fans had a petition – signed by 5,221 – to demand Arsenal not buy the then Chelsea player. Kane took responsibility for the kick. England’s captain had talked of the need for England to show a strong mentality to live with the expectation levels raised further by a huge number of England fans amongst the 70,389 crowd.
Kane needed his own nerves of steel after 12 minutes after he, strangely for him, put in a stutter in his run-up to a penalty and Dominik Livakovic saved. Sections of the Croatian media in the press box applauded. Briefly. Livakovic had strayed off his line, Clement Turpin ordered a re-take, and a reprieved Kane was gifted a second chance. He went the same way, to Livakovic’s left, but there was no stutter, only that familiar firm connection sending the ball flying in. England fans sang about being on their way to New York for the final.
Then came the loathed hydration break which started amidst boos from England fans and ended with chants of “what the f***ing hell was that?” Fears that it would damage England’s momentum were realised when Croatia equalised. Bellingham lost possession, Petar Sucic deceived John Stones, who dived in. England were opened up. Sucic laid the ball back to Martin Baturina, who swept it from the edge of the area past Pickford.
England hit back, inevitably via Kane, almost inevitably via another set-piece, this time a corner. Kane lurked on the edge of the area, bizarrely unmarked. Stones and Ezri Konsa occupied Croatian defenders but it was still strange that Kane was afforded so much room. As Declan Rice curled the corner out, Kane ran in, leaping between Luka Vuskovic and Petar Musa, and steering his header in. So simple. 81 in 115, and now level with Gary Lineker’s England record of 10 goals at World Cup finals.
Half-time beckoned. England’s defence never looked a safe haven. Chaos continued. England were far too slow to close Croatia down. Mario Pasalic dinked the ball in, Perisic directed his header across to Musar, who plays for local MLS side Dallas. Musar reacted too quickly for Reece James and stroked the ball past Pickford, again exposed, again unconvincing.
Tuchel hurried towards the tunnel. He had work to do, a situation to retrieve. Bellingham came to his aid two minutes after the restart. Elliot Anderson played his part, delivering the perfect ball to release Bellingham down the inside-right channel. Madueke also contributed, darting inside, a decoy run that worked. Bellingham tore into the space, proving too quick and strong for Pasalic. He looked up, saw where Livakovic and stroked the ball across the keeper and in. It wasn’t the cleanest of connections but it was firm and accurate and England were ahead again.
Seeking to refresh his attack, Tuchel made changes after 70 minutes, Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers replacing Gordon, Madueke and Rice. It was bold from Tuchel. Bellingham dropped slightly deeper, almost alongside Anderson. Rogers played off Kane. Rashford applied the coup de grace, cutting inside Josip Stanisic and placing his shot past Livakovic. The rollercoaster rolled to a stop, leaving England fans breathless and joyful.
